Steam iron



l. JEPSON STEAM IRON Oct. 5, `1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1943 0d 5 1954 JEPsoN 2,690,623

STEAM mon Filed my 27. 194e 'r sheets-sheet 2 I. JEPSON STEAM IRON Oct. 5, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 194B l. JEPSON STEAM IRON Oct. 5, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 27, 194B j LIIYVENTORJ QJ 50707 8,. U

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l. JEPSON STEAM IRON Oct 5s 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 27. 194B fywenfoff- [Ua/7 Jg? Zc'vu V .manual l. JEPSON STEAM IRON Oct. 5, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 2v. 1948 @mw NSN INVENTOR. .Z2/Q7 Je Patented Oct. 5, 1954 STEAM IRON Ivar Jepson, Oak Park, Ill

Corporation, Chicago,

Illinois assigner to Sunbeam Ill.,

a. corpora-tion of Application May 27, 1948, Serial No. 29,461

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to steam irons and more particularly to that class of steam irons known as the flash boiler type, which include a steam generator and a valve controlled water supply.

In steam irons of this class water is fed to a steam generating chamber, preferably located in the sole plate, and at a rate which allows the Water to be flashed almost instantly into steamhence the term flash boiler type of steam iron. The generated steam is distributed to the material being ironed or steamed by means of ports nr the like which communicate with the steam generator and open on the ironing surface of the sole plate. Irons of this type are usually provided Wlth thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of the sole plate and adjustable to maintain the sole plate at a selectively controlled temperature depending upon the material to be ironed.

In irons of the type referred to above it is of course desirable that the valve for controlling the flow of water to the steam generator remain closed until the iron reaches its ironing temperature to insure flashing of the water into steam. In steam irons heretofore employed difficulty has been encountered in obtaining suiicient now of water to the steam generating chamber after the sole plate has heated up to the ironing temperature but before the water in the reser- Voir has been heated substantially. It would be desirable to provide a steam iron in which proper and satisfactory flow of water to the steam generating chamber occurs as soon as the sole plate has been heated to ironing temperature so that the needle valve may be opened and the ironing operation begun.

Steam irons now available on the market are generally bulky by virtue of the water reservoir and do not present a pleasing appearance in any sense of the word. It would be desirable to provide a steam iron which is substantially of the same size as an ordinary iron while still providing a reservoir of large capacity.

In steam irons of the type referred to above it is customary to provide manual means for controlling the steam and also manual means for controlling the iron temperature. It would be desirable to provide a` steam iron in which ringer tip contro] of each of these means may be provided with the plurality of manual control means furthermore being located in substantially the same place on the iron.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved steam 1ron.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved steam iron in which a steady supply of steam is provided as soon as the sole plate is hot without the requirement of waiting until steam is produced in the reservoir, to force the water into the steam generating chamber.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steam iron having maximum tank capacity Without substantially increasing the size of the iron over that of conventional sadirons by providing a compact arrangement of the control means and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact arrangement of the manual control means for both the iron temperature and the steam flow.

The invention further resides in various structural improvements and innovations in the device by virtue of which efficiency and simplicity of operation are combined with low manufacturing cost and sturdiness of construction, of which structural features may be particularly mentioned the novel safety features of the iron, the ease by which it may be controlled, the novel water filling means, the compact arrangement of the thermostatic control mechanism, and the improved arrangement of various parts thereby insuring simplicity, ease of assembly, and low manufacturing cost.

Further objects and advantages of the presont invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present in vention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View in section with the sectional view taken on line l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 2 is fragmentary View of thc bottom of the sole plate to show the steam outlet openings;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l assuming Fig. l shows the complete iron;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line #-4 of Fig. l also assuming that Fig. l shows the complete iron;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1 again assuming Fig. l shows a complete structure;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the steam iron of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the front portion of the sole plate looking into the steam generating chamber and taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 1 assuming Fig. l shows a complete structure;

Fig. 9 is a partial end view looking in the direction of the arrows il-S of Fig. 1 and assuming that Fig. 1 shows the complete structure;

Fig. 1.0' is a partial view of Fig. l showing the open positionl of the water lling device;

Fig. 1l is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical control circuit and heater unit of the steam iron of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line I2-I 2 of Fig. l again assuming that Fig. l again shows a complete structure;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line I3-I3 of Fig. 1 assuming that Fig. l shows a complete structure;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view looking in the direction of thev arrows I4-I4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the steam iron of the present invention illustrating a modification of the filler plug and safety valve of invention;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line H--IB o1' Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line I'l-Il of Fig. 16 assuming that Fig. 16 shows a complete structure;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 1'7 taken on line Ii-I of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view in elevation, somewhat similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification of the steam iron of the present invention;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken on line 2li-20 of Fig. 19 assuming Fig. 19 shows a complete iron; and

Fig. 2l is a sectional view taken on line 2I2I of Fig. 19.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown an embodiment of the present invention in the form of an electrically heated pressing iron comprising a sole plate I6. The sole plate I6 is heated by an electrical element I1 which preferably is of the sheathed type. Briefly it comprises a helical resistance conductor mounted in the present an outer metallic sheath and supported in spaced L relationship in reference to a sheath by an electrical insulating heat conducting mass formed of a suitable material such as highly compressed magnesium oxide. The heating element I1 is roughly in the shape of Fig. 4 of the drawings with the extremities of its legs located at the rear of the ironand its bight I'Ia located at the front or pointed end of the iron. The U-shaped heating element I1 is embedded in the sole plate I6, the sole plate preferably being provided with an upright rib IB of generally U-shape (see Figs. 1, 3` and 7) in which the heating element Il is received. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings the heating element l1 is provided with suitable terminals I9 projecting from the ends of the sheath.

For the purpose of defining a steam generating chamber which is in closeA heat transfer relationship with the heating element I1 or at least with the rib I8 in which the heating element I1 is disposed, the front portion of the sole plate I6 as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 7 of the drawingsV is provided with a well or chamber generally designated at 2li. This chamber 2B is dened within the closed end of the U-shaped rib I8 and a cross member 2| extending between the two legs of the U-shaped rib I8. The edge or the rib I9 is provided with a-cut away portion denn-A ing a ledge I8a' whichvis level with the top of the cross member. 2l for sunpbrtingla. suitable a hairpin as is shown in cover 22 for the steam generating chamber. This cover 22 is adapted to extend over the cross wall 2l which is provided with an enlarged portion 2Ia including a tapped opening 23 for receiving a suitable fastening member 24 in the form of al hexagonal rodV best shown in Figs. l and 4. The rod 24 is illustrated as having a threaded extension 24a at one end for engaging the tapped opening 23 so as to provide a means for securing the cover plate 22 of the steam generating chamber to the sole plate IG. Another fastening means to be described hereinafter is also provided. The hexagonal rod 24 is of substantial length and is provided at its upper endwith a tapped opening 24h, the purpose of which will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

Centrally disposed in the steam generating chamber 2Il is a raised somewhat circular portion 25 forming an integral part of the sole plate I6 and having integrally formed therewith rearwardly extending legs or baille members 26 so as to divide the steam generating chamber 2|) into a series of passageways. The raised portion 25 is provided on its upper surface with a circular recess 25a exposing the upper end of a tapped bushing 21 which is integrally cast into the sole plate. The tapped opening within the bushing 21 is designated by the reference numeral 21a.

In view of the fact that the steam generating chamber is closely confined within the closed end of the U-shaped heating element Il water supplied tb the recess 25o in the raised member 25 is adapted to be substantially instantly changed into steam andato pass through suitable notches 25h formed in the wall denning the recess 25a toward the rear portion of the steam generating chamber 20. This steam, as will be described hereinafter, eventually reaches the portion of the steam generating chamber 20 nearest the front of the iron where it is adapted to enter suitableV ports 28 leading to the ironing surface of the sole plate IB. To be sure that only steam pass through the ports 28 these ports open into the steam generating chamber 20 at the top surface of a raised V-shaped member 29, also integrally formed with the sole plate I6. Consequently the ports 2B opening on the ironing surface of the sole plate I6 are arranged in a sort of V-sliaped configuration. Preferably the ends of the ports or steam passageways 28 at the ironing surface of the sole plate I6 are of somewhat enlarged diameter as designated by the reference numeral 28a in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings. From the above description it will be apparent that in order for steam to pass through the steam passageways 29' it is necessary for the water supplied to the flash boiler type of steam generating chamber 20 to pass from the rear of the steam generating chamber around the extensions or bafiles 26 through relatively narrow passageways 32, defined between the baiiles 26 and the rib I Il, where ii steam has not already been formed'it will clearly be formed due to the close contact with the rib I8 in which the heating element I1 is embedded. To further insure the generation of moist steam the passageways 32 include a suitable means for retarding the flow of water therethrough such for example as copper wool, or the like designated at 33 in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The raised V-shaped member 29 containing the ports 28 further prevents any water from flowing through the ports 2B by trapping the same and thereby insures the supply of only steam to the enlarged outlets 28a of the steam passageways 23 on the ironing surface of the sole plate IB.

To accommodate a suitable thermostatic control element the rear portion of the sole plate I6 is provided with a well generally designated at 34, best shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, which is defined between the ribs I8 in which the heating element Il is embedded. This well is adapted to receive a suitable control mechanism to be described hereinafter.

In order that the steam generating chamber may be provided with a source of water which is flashed into steam in the steam generating chamber there is provided a water reservoir generally designated at which has an external configuration which closely approaches the size and shape of conventional sadirons employed heretofore. In other words the reservoir 35 does not have such an exterior' dimension as to make the steam iron appear unusually large or bulky as is the case with many prior art arrangements. On the other hand the reservoir 35 although presenting a relatively small external dimension, as will become apparent from the following description, provides a relatively large water reservoir so as to insure an ample supply of steam for a considerable ironing period. As best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 the reservoir 35 preferably is formed from a pair of sheet metal stampings comprising a bottom wall 35a and a hollow cover portion 35h. The cover portion 35h is in the form of an inverted container and a substantial area of its interior surface adjacent the peripheral edge thereof is in intimate engagement with a depending nange 36 on the bot tom wall member 35a. The engaging portions of the members 35a and 35h are joined as by welding, brazing or the like so as to provide a suitable Water reservoir. The bottom wall 35a of the tank or reservoir 35 is also provided with a raised portion 31 which may be placed therein by a suitable stamping operation. This raised portion 3'! together with the well 34 in the sole plate I6 provides a chamber 39 for a thermostatic control device to be described hereinafter.

For the purpose of permitting electrical connections and control connections to be made to apparatus disposed within the control chamber 39, the reservoir or tank 35 is provided with passageways 40 and 4I extending therethrough as is best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The passageway 40 is defined by a tubular member 42 which extends through the rear end of the reservoir 35. The upper and lower ends of the tubular member 42 are sealed to the top and bottom members 35h and 35a respectively defining the reservoir 35 so as to insure a sealed tank without the danger of leakage of water therefrom adjacent the passageway 40. Similarly the passageway 4| is defined by a tubular member 43 of somewhat flattened configuration best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The respective ends of the tubular member 43 are also sealed with the corresponding walls of the tank 35 in the same manner as the tubular member 4Z.

In addition to the passageways 40 and 4I through the tank or reservoir 35 there are also provided a series of openings in the tank 35 designated respectively by the reference numerals 44, and 4E shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The opening 44 is defined in the upper wall 35h near the front of the iron and is adapted to receive a cylindrical steam dome 4l, the lower end of which is suitably sealed as by welding or the like to the wall 35h so as effectively to provide an integral steam dome extending a substantial distance above the top surface of the reservoir 35. The opening 45 on the other hand is disposed in alignment with the tapped opening 21a in the plug 2l. This opening 45 is furthermore formed at the bottom of a somewhat cone shaped indenation 48 in the bottom wall 35a of the water reservoir 35 as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, thereby providing a good seal between the tank 35 and a valve body 49 of a needle valve and furthermore aiding in aligning the tank 35 and sole plate i3 during assembly thereof. The needle valve comprising the valve body 49 and a needle valve member 50 is provided to control this water flow from the reservoir 35. The needle valve body 49 comprises a conical surface for engagement with the indentation 43 and further includes a threaded extension 48a adapted to engage with the tapped opening 21a. Effectively therefore the vaive bod;l 49 performs three functions; (l.) it includes the valve seat for the needle valve 5B to be described in greater detail hereinafter, (2) it provides suitable means for fastening the tank or reservoir 35 to the sole plate I5, and (3) it provides a means in addition to the stud 24 for holding the steam generator cover plate 22 in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings in sealing engagement With the ledge ld and the cross wall 2|. The exterior surface of the needle valve body 45 extending into the reservoir 35 is preferably of circular configuration as best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings so as to be readily insel-table through the top of the steam dome 4l. Preferably the valve body 49 is provided with a screw driver engaging slot 49h whereby a screw driver inserted through an opening in the top of the steam dome 4l may be employed when assemblying the tank on the sole plate, which is done in a simple manner after the portions of the tank including the steam dome have been completely assembled. The opening 4E is provided at the rear of the reservoir 35 and effectively serves as the opening through which water is supplied to the reservoir 35. A combined filler` plug and safety valve associated with the opening 46 is described in greater detail hereinafter.

It will be appreciated that during an ironing operation the iron is moved backwardly and forwardly in contact with the articles or goods being ironed. Such backward and forward motion of the iron will tend to cause the Water in the Water reservoir 35 to rush from one end thereof to the other. To reduce to a minimum such movement of the water and consequent splashing thereof in the reservoir 35 there is provided in accordance with the present invention a baffle plate 52 best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings. As illustrated this baille plate extends in a diagonal manner substantially across the reservoir 35 and ilow of water is permitted through openings 53 defined at the corners of the baille plate 52. In accordance with the present invention the baille plate is disposed in an angular manner best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, with the upper end thereof adjacent the rear surface of the tubular member 43 and the lower edge thereof considerably to the rear of this point with respect to the iron itself. With this arrangement there is a tendency for the water in its movement due to the back and forth movement of the iron to move in a circular pattern at the forward end of the chamber and consequently prevents splashing of the water into the steam dome 4l.

In addition to the needle valve body 49 which @provides a .meansior VYfastening "the reservoir d to the solefplate Niithere :isrprovided 'ana'dditional fastening means intheiorm 'of a screw Ewhich engages the tapped opening .24h in the hexagonal rod or -stud 24. A suitable washer 5B engageable -With .the upper :end of the tubular member 213 servesdn cooperation withthe screw 55Jrmly to `hold the reservoir to the sole plate I'E. It will fbe Anoted that .the .hexagonal rod 24 extends Vthrough thepassageway A I f defined by the'tubular member 43 and .the'washeri only closes the rear fportion of .thispassagewayleaving the front portionthereof opensforsuitable control connections.

In order to @provide means for selectively controlling and Ymaintaining Ythe temperature of the 4sole plate lli .at .diierent predetermined desired values, .there ispcsitioned in the 'chamber 39 a thermostatic .controldevice generally designated at B0. Thiscontroldevice 'd may comprise any suitable temperature responsive control device. Sothat such control device 6l! may be accommodated within the relatively small chamber 39 `which in 'turn'allows for aiarge volume orma-eer in vreservoir 35 without 'increasing the outside dimensions thereof, .the thermostatic control 5l) Vhas been illustrated as .of the type disclosed and .claimed Lin fUnited States Letters Patent 2,415,795, Kocigranted .February 1l, 1947, and .assigned `to Vthe same assignee as the present application. As illustrated the thermostatic -control devicell comprises a thermostat or bimetallic element El embodying the principles of Y.the thermostat disclosed and claimed in United States Letters VPatent 2,332,518, Koei, also assigned to the same assignee vas the present application. The thermostat BI is Yadapted to be disposed in intimate engagementwith a portion of the suracefdening the bottom of the well 34 in the sole plate Hi. One end of .the birnetallic element Vel is rigidly secured to the Vsole plate I6 as by means o'f a screw vor the like 62 and suitable clampingfmeans associated therewith. The other `or relatively .free end of the element 6I on the other hand is :connected by means of a suitable rod brotherconnecting device 63 with an arm $4 supporting a contact 65 which is engageable with a contact 66 supported from an arm 61. The contacts *65 .and .GE provide a switch for controlling the heat supplied to the heating element l'l as `is best shown in the schematic diagram of .-Fig. 11 of the drawings. The conducting arm 64 supporting the contact E5 is preferably directly connected to one terminal I9 of the heating ele- ;ment Al?! as by means of the connector 69 best Vshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The other terminal ofthe heating element Il is connected 'to the power supply by means of the connector 'lo which has a portion Il extending through the :passageway deiined by the tubular member 42. The switch arm del is also connected to 'apower supply .by `means of a suitable connector 'l2 and a conductor 13 which .also extends `through fthe passageway 4B. The conductors ll and T3 are adapted to be suitably connected with a power cord T4, a portion fof which is shown in Fig. 6 of the rdrawings in a manner which will be understood by Vthose skilled in .the art. If desired a suitable spring member T5 may be provided adjacent the `end ofthe `cord fastened to fthe firon Aso as to reduce the general wear and tear of the cordat the point where it is fastened to the iron.

For the purpose of maintaining the various 'conductors from the heating element I1 and the switch comprising the contacts B5 and `B6 Ain infsnlated relationship ta stack of conductors with interspersed insulating members is provided .as

generally indicated at 18 in Figli ofthe drawings whicnstack simultaneously prcvidessupport and fastening Vmeans for the armsd and 8l Vin a manner well known lto those skilled in the art while `rfurthermore providing the desired electrical 'interconnection clearly set forth by the schematic diagram of Fig. 21'1 o'f the drawings.

With the arrangement described above it is apparent that operation Vofthe bimetalllc element or thermostat il., which inherently includes iconipensating 'means asus ully describedin she above mentioned Koei patents, causes vmovement of the .arm 64. .Preferably :the arm 64 is inherently somewhat rigid so that the bimetallic element 6I must operate against Ja substantial force.

It `will be understood that in modern electric irons selective control oi the temperature `ci the sole plate t6 `isnesired so that dii-erent tempera- .tures thereof may be maintained for ironing dii- :ferent materials such as cotton. wool, silk, "rayon and the like. To :fprovide Ya manually selective control oizthe thermostairlc control device i60, the switch armzilywhich is connected to the free end of 'the bimetal'licelementl by the member 563,18 provided 4with a Yrigid extension flia, which extends beneath .the passageway 4I, including (Fig. 12) :means deliningfan opening lll! `for the hexagonal rod '24. The end ofthe rigid extension Bia is provided with a 'portion IBI of narrow cross section adapted to 'be `engaged by the hook 18a `of a. coiled rtension spring 19 `which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. It will be apparent that by .means ci the tension spring 19 a force is applied y'to the arm Vor member M'wlhich `force as will `be described hereinafter is variable so as to require Vvarying amounts -o'f force 'by the bimetallic element (tl to cause opening of Y the switch donned bythe contacts 8.5 and es. The advantages of the rigid extension lilla as contrasted with the non Arigid extension illustrated in Fig. 19 of the Ldrawings will become apparent from the ensuing description.

So that an Voperator may manipulate the steam iron described thus Tar there is `provided a suitable handle generally Vindicated at 82 preferably formed of a molded insulating material such Sas one of the many synthetic lresins capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures in the neighborhood of 275 to 300 F. As illustrated the handle '62 is provided with a Vfront support 83 vand a rear support 8l between which extends the gripping portion 85. The gripping portion B5, and the supports g83 and 84 together `with a base portion 860i lthefhandle 82 define the opening indicated at lil?! in Fig. V1 of the drawings :for the fingers of the operator. Each of the handle supports 8B andl is cored 'to provide chambers, the chamber 8B being defined in the "front support 83 while 'the chamber 89 is delined in the rear support '811. yThe base portion 8B of the handle B2 whichextends over a substantial part of the iron is best shown'in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Essentially -the handle L82 and the means of 'attaching the same to the steam iron described above are very similar to the arrangement disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent 2,277,034, Bisley, granted March 24, 1942 and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. y

In accordance with the above mentioned Bisley patent there is provided between the handle 82 and the reservoir a spacer plate 92 best shown in Figs. 1,"3 and 5 of the drawings. This .spacer plate 92 is spaced imam "the reservoir 3.5 so fas to reduce to a minimum any heat conduction between the spacer plate 92 and the adjacent portions of the steam iron, namely the reservoir 35. Preferably the spacer plate 92 is fastened to the reservoir 35 and particularly to the upper portion 35h thereof by a plurality of screws 95, four of them being shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The screws 95 are adapted to engage suitable tapped openings in members 96 welded to the inside surface of the portion 35h of the tank or reservoir 35 so that no iiuid from the reservoir 35 can escape through openings provided for the screws 95. In order to define a substantial space between the spacer plate 92 and the reservoir 35 the plate is provided with suitable extrusions indicated at 91 adjacent the openings therein for the screws 95 which provide the desired spacing and furthermore insure a minimum area of contact between the plate 92 and the reservoir 35 and consequently a minimum conduction of heat from the reservoir 35 to the spacer plate 92. The spacer plate 92 is provided with an opening 93 which accommodates the steam dome 41 and also permits the coil spring 19 which is disposed within the cored chamber 80 in the handle B2 to extend down into the control chamber 39. The spacer plate 92 is furthermore provided with suitable openings 99 providing passageways for the conductors 1l and 13 leading from the chamber 39 to the cored chamber 09 where connection is made with the power cord 14. It should be noted that the chamber B9 is effectively divided into two chambers by the partition member 93 depending from the handle proper, one chamber for the electrical circuit and the other for fastening means and the like. In addition the spacer plate 92 is provided with a pair of elongated openings |00 for receiving suitable hook shaped portions |0Ia associated with the handle B2 for fastening the handle 02 to the spacer plate 92.

As illustrated in the above mentioned Bisley patent the hooks |0|a are formed on suitable inserts |0| which in turn are molded into the bottom of the handle 82. Preferably these inserts |0| are provided with suitable openings or extensions into which the material of the handle is molded so as to insure effective integral relationship between the members |0| and the handle 82. By means of the hooked shaped portions I0|a which are adapted to engage with the elongated openings |00 the front part of the handle 82 may be hooked to the spacer plate 92 by inserting the hooks through the elongated openings |00 and moving the handle forwardly so that the hooked portions I0 la engage the edges of the openings |00. To further fasten the handle 82 to the spacer plate 92 a suitable tapped insert |02 is molded into the rear of the handle 02 to receive the screw |03 extending through the spacer plate 92, when the handle is in the position of Fig. 1 of the drawings with the hook shaped portions |0101l in hooked engagement with the elongated openings |00. In this position the head of the screw |03 is in alignment with the passageway 40 defined by the tubular member 42 so that a screw driver or other tool may readily be applied to the screw |03 through this opening. A suitable closure plate |04 is adapted to close the space between the end of the sole plate and the rear end of the reservoir 35 after the screw |03 is in place thereby providing a finished appearance and furthermore preventing the possibility of accidentally contacting the live conductors 1| and 13. The plate |04 is preferably fastened in place by suitable screws |05A engaging a plate |00 welded or otherwise secured to the bottom rear portion of the reservoir 35. It Will be understood that the rear surface of the reservoir designated by the reference numeral |01 forms a part of the heel rest for the iron when not in use in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

The individual conductors of the power cord 14 are connected to the upper ends of the conductors 1I and 13 as is clearly shown in Figs. l and 8 of the drawings. A suitable strain relief member |00 preferably supports the cord 14 Within the chamber 89, which strain relief is suit ably supported within the handle 82.

From the above description it will be apparent that the cored chamber 09 in the front portion of the handle 92 accommodates the steam dome 41 as well as other control mechanism located therein such as the spring 19 for example. For the purpose of controlling the tension of the spring 19 and consequently the temperature at which the thermostat 6I operates the switch comprising the contacts 05 and 66, the steam dome 41 is provided at its upper end with a portion of reduced cross section 41a so as to define a shoulder or ledge |09. Concentrically disposed with reference to the upper end 41a of the steam dome 41 and rotatably mounted on the ledge |09 is a tubular sleeve ||0 preferably formed of molded insulating material and having a cam surface in the form of a spiral groove defined along its outer periphery. A cam follower in the form of an annular plate II2 is provided with extensions |I2a at spaced points thereof (Fig. 14) for engagement with the spiral groove |I| so that rotation of the sleeve I|0 relative to the upper portion 41a of the steam dome 41 causes movement of the cam follower |I2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sleeve IIO. The cam follower H2 is provided with a lateral extension ||2b which engages with a suitable recess I|5 dened in the walls of the chamber B0 so as to prevent rotational movement of the cam follower I I2 while still permitting free movement thereof along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve I I. The lateral extension I|2b is furthermore provided with a bridge portion IIB extending across a notch ||1 defined therein which bridge portion is engageable by the upper hook 19h of the coil spring 19. It is apparent that rotation of the sleeve will vary the tension of the spring 19 and consequently the force applied to the extension 94a of the conducting arm 64 with the rev sultant control of the temperature at which open ation of the switch comprising the contacts 05 and 00 occurs.

From the above description it will be understood that the arrangement for adjusting the temperature of the sole plate I6 described above permits the employment of a small chamber 39 and consequently permits a water reservoir of maximum capacity within predetermined outside dimensions. It will be noted that by employing L a rigid extension 04a only a limited movement thereof is required and the force applied thereto by the spring 19 is varied by substantial movement of the cam follower ||2 which is located at a place where space is not at a premium. Thus by substantial vertical movement of the cam follower l2 to vary the force on the rigid extension 64a, very limited movement of the extension 64a is required and consequently the chamber 39 need be only very small. This may be contrasted with the modification shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings asaaes 1 l where the spring is not empioyed and a larger chamber for the control mechanism is required.

In order that finger tip control of the position of the cam follower ||2 may be had `with the resultant control of the temperatureof the sole plate i6, the upper end of the sleeve is suitably fastened to an annular shaped control -knob or button which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis within a recess |2| defined in the front upper portion ofthe handle 82, which recess |2I is effectively an extension ofthe chamber 03 which opens at both the upper and lower ends of the support 83. The button |20 is readily engageable at theffront or sides of the iron where it overlies the handle portion as best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Theexterior surface of the button or control knob :|20 is preferably provided with protrusions |-20a best shown in Fig. 13 of the drawingstto permit ready finger manipulationthereof. The button or knob `|23 is further provided with an integral downwardly extending lug |23!) which cooperates with a suitable .stop |22 integrally formed in the handle portion adjacent the recess |2| so as to limit the maximum movement in either direction of the control button |'20 from the oli' position of the iron when the contacts t6 and '66 are open to the maximum heatposition thereof which 'is the position indicated by the solid line position of the Vlug |202) in Fig. 14 of the drawings. The dotted line position of the lug |2019 in Fig. 14 of the drawings illustrates the off position of the iron, when insunlcient tension is supplied to tthe spring 10 so that the rod 64 togetherwith the inherent force of the bimetallic element 6| moves the switch comprising the contacts 06 and E0 to the open position. The knob |20 maybe provided with suitable indicia such as 011 Rayon Silk," etc. which respective indicia `cooperate with a suitable index mark such as |23 `formed on an adjacent part of the handle'. When a particular indicia is opposite the index mark |23 the iron is set for the particular control indicated thereby.

It will be apparent thatthelknob |20 must be related to the sleeve in a predetermined manner so that proper operation of the controls results. To permit the necessary calibration or adjustment the button |720 is provided with a depending ange |20c which is provided on its inner surface with a saw-toothed configuration indicated at I'Zd in Fig. 13 of the drawings. -A portion only of the outer periphery of the upper end of the sleeve lill is also provi'cledjwith acooper ating saw toothed surface whereby these saw tooth surfaces may be interlocked in various-relative positions to insure the desired calibration. It will be understood that the sleeve ||Il can not be provided with a saw-toothed surface for the entire circumferential area since otherwise this would interfere with the movement of the lug |20b. However, the arrangement illustrated provides the necessary relative adjustment of the button |2|l and the sleeve H0 to insure that the particular operating characteristic represented by the indicia opposite the index mark |23 is obtained. Any suitable means for holding the button |26 and the sleeve ||0 together as a unitary structure may be employed.

In order manually to control in a selective manner the flow of Water from the reservoir 35 to the steam generator 20 by means of the needle valve comprising the valve body 49 partially described heretofore and the `needle valve member 50, the `latter is an elongated member extending lil upwardly along the axis of the steam dome 41. The lower end of this member 50 is tapered in thc form of a conventional needle Valve and is threadedly engaged with the valve bodyls so as to effectively provide a needle valve control `.with the ilow of water being along the external surface thereof. The vvalve body 49 is preferably provided with a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed passageways |3| through which the water from the reservoir 35 may enter `the needle valve and iow along the exterior surace of the needle valve member 50. It will be understood that rotation of the needle valve member Bil in one direction will completely shut off the flow of water from the reservoir 35130 the steam generating chamber `2|) in a conventional Well-understood manner. On the other hand rotation of the needle valve member 5|! in the other direction will permit variable amounts of water to flow to the steam generating chamber 20 dependingon the amount of rotation. The valve body 49 ifur ther includes a passage |32 `which permits water owing through theneedle val-ve to pass into the recess 25rdI in the steam generating chamber 20.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a passageway interconnecting the upper end of the steam dome 4? and the steam generating chamber 20 independentlyof the passageway afforded by the needle valve per se. This passageway may be a passageway separate and distinct from the needle valvemember 50 as is disclosed in Fig. 19 of the drawings, or may comprise a passageway |345 Within the needle valve member E0 itself, as 4is shown in Fig. l of the drawings and asis specically disclosed and claimed in a copendingVieceli application, Serial No. 29,542 tiled concurrently with the presentanplication and assigned to the same assignee as the present application and now Patent No. 2,618,875 issued November 25, 1952. A-s'illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings the upper end .or the` needle valve member 5t!A is telescopically related with a tting |36, comprising a tubular member which extends out of the upper end of the steam dome 41 into the central opening of the annular button |20. The litting |36 is suitably Vfastened to the upper end of the member 50: and'includes a lower tubular portion |36a connected by passageways |311 with the space Within the steam dome 4l. In order to prevent the escapeof-steam from the upper end of the stearndome itis closedfby a. suitable plug |38 threadedly engaging thestearn dome and including a suitable packing around the tting |36 which extends through the plu-g |38. In accordance with the present invention a steam control button |40, preferably formed ofV moldable insulating material, is disposed within the recess of the annular button |20 and attached to the fitting |36 by means of Aa screw M2 inserted through the top Vof the button |240 and threadedly engaging a tapped opening in the top With this arrangement the of the fitting |36. control `button |40 for the needle valvewandthe control button |23 for the Vthermostat mechanism are concentrically disposed'and are readily adapted for ringer-tip control. 'Il-he steam control button |40 is providedwith a-suitable exten-V sion which is preferably oppositetheV index point m3V inthe off position. The single index mark |23, by virtue of the concentric arrangement of the buttonsor control members il'iill and Mllfprovides the reference for each control. Preferably a spring washer M8 interposed between thehut-f.

tons |20-and Humaintainsthelatter imposition. In order to limit the open and .closed positiom of the needle valve member 50 the control button |40 is provided with a depending lug |4| which engages with a stop |43 illustrated as comprising an integral extension at the upper end of the steam dome 41 as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 13 of the drawings. One extreme position, namely the closed position of the button |45 is shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided in the passageway |34, which may be a separate passageway as shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings, a spring biased ball valve |44 normally biased against a seat |45, so as effectively to isolate the passageway |34 from the passage way |31, by the coiled spring |45. Preferably the ball valve |44 is adjusted so as to require approximately l1/ lbs. of pressure per square inch within the steam dome 41 to open the same. With this arrangement it has been found that satisfactory flow of water to the steam generating chamber is assured as soon as the sole plate is hot enough for ironing purposes. The reason for this is that a certain amount of air is always trapped Within the water reservoir and, as soon as initial heating of the sole plate IE occurs, there results an expansion of this air and the creation of some pressure, thus providing a positive pressure feed for the water in the reservoir 35 in addition to the normal gravity feed which exists by virtue of the position of the reservoir 35 relative to the sole plate lli. A small pressure is built up immediately upon heating of the sole plate to assure constant water flow and when this pressure attains the value of approximately 11/2 lbs. per square inch the valve |44 moves to the open position. It will be apparent that this arrangement effectively provides a safety valve for the Water reservoir 35.

For the purpose of providing an additional safety device there is associated with the water reservoir 35 described above a combined safety valve and filler plug generally designated at |55 and best shown in Figs. 1, 5, S, 9 and l0 of the drawings.

In accordance with the present invention the combined safety valve and filler plug |59 is disposed within a recess generally designated at |5| defined within the rear of the handle 82, so as to be not only substantially concealed from view to provide a very pleasing appearance, but furthermore is also completely out of the way so as not to interfere in any way with the ironing operation.

Rei'erring now specifically to Figs. l, 5, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings it may be noted that the recess |5| is of somewhat rectangular configuration defined Within the molded handle 82. Adjacent the bottom of this recess |5| and toward the rear of the handle 82 there are provided a pair of ears |52 which are preferably formed integrally with the handle B2. The opening 46 into the reservoir 35, described above, is surrounded by an annular member |56 which provides a seat around the opening for a suitable ller plug forming a part of a combined closure and safety valve assembly generally indicated at |54. It will be understood that any suitable means for supporting the assembly |54 in the recess |5| may be employed. By way of example a pivotal support is illustrated in the drawings. The annular member |56 includes an integral upwardly extending portion |5i closed on all sides except the side extending to the rear of the iron, which serves somewhat in the manner of a funnel or guard to guide the flow of water into the reservoir 35 during the filling operation. This portion 51 includes a pair of rearwardly extending ears |516: aligned with the ears 52 and deiined within the ears |510, are elongated slots |51b for receiving a pivot pin |53. The elongated slots |5123 shown in Fig. li) of the drawings extend in a vertical direction for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The assembly |54 comprises a pivotal housing member |58 including a portion |53a disposed between the ears |51a and having an opening for the pivot pin |53 whereby the assembly |54 is pivotally supported for movement between the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 10 of the drawings. To simplify the drilling operation for the opening in the portion |58c to receive the pivot pin |53 only the ends ci" the portion |53a are solid. e.. suitable sealing gasket |55 is riveted as indicated ll to the bottom of the pivotal housing member |58. When the closure device |54 is in the closed position shown in Figs. S and 9, the gasket |511 is biased by means to be described hereinafter into sealing engagement with the valve seat or annular member |56 surrounding the opening 45.

In order to hold the closure member |54 in the closed position shown in Figs. l and 9 there is provided a spring biased plunger $63 which. is reciprocally mounted in a recess |64 defined in the pivotal housing member |55. A suitable cornpression spring |35 disposed within the recess |54 biases the plunge-1' |53 in an upward direction as viewed in l.. A suitable pin |51 extending through a slot ISB in the plunger |53 limits the upward movement of the plunger |83 but at the time permits limited reciprocal movement thereof. The pin |51 engages with the walls de lining the recess |54 in the pivotal housing member ii'i.

The upper end of the plunger |63 is provided with a notch |63a to receive therein an extension 82a, of the handle 82 which eiectively acts as a lock or a latch maintaining the closure assembly |54 in the latched position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings under the bias of the spring |65. The plunger |53 includes a manually actuable portion ||i3b which is substantially the onli7 portion thereof protruding beyond the conilnes of the handle 82. This portion or extension |6312 is readily actuable by simple finger manipulation to release the latch whereupon the closure assembly |54 may be moved to the position shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. It will be apparent that by virtue of the elongated slots I51b in the ears |51a that the closure assembly described above will act as a safety valve since a substantial increase in pressure Within the reservoir 35 will cause the closure member to move bodily the entire assembly |54 and particularly move the gasket IBB out of sealing engagement with the annular member |55 which movement is furthermore permitted by virtue of the limited movement of the plunger |53 relative to the member |54 against the bias of the spring IEE- Since the escaping steam or hot water through the safety valve mentioned above will be directed to the rear of the steam iron the danger of the operator coming into contact with the hot fluid is nil. The spring |65 is preferably designed so that the safety valve opens when the steam pressure reaches twenty-live pounds per square inch.

The handle portion defining the recess |54 is designed to overlap the portion |51, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 10 of the drawings, to prevent water during the filling operation from aecomo' l entering the chamber 89. During the assembly of the iron the closure assembly |54 is pivotally mounted to the ears |51a by the pin |53 before the handle 82 is put into position.

It will be understood that although the concealed position of the combined ller plug and safety valve is preferable it might assume various other positions and in Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the drawings there is illustrated a modiiication of the combined illler plug and safety valve of the present invention which is generally designated as |19. The corresponding parts of Figs. l5 to 18 inclusive are designated by the same reference numerals as the preceding iigures of the drawing. From the disclosure of Figs. l5 and 16 it may be observed that there is disposed in the opening 46 adjacent one of the rear corners of the reservoir 85 a filler tube |80 which extends to the bottom of the reservoir and is suitable sealed to the edges thereof. In order to contro1 the amount of water supplied to the reservoir 35 through the filler tube |80 this tubes extends to the bottom of the Water reservoir 35 and is provided with an elongated slot |8| interconnecting the tube |80 with the reservoir 35. It will be understood that the amount of water which can be supplied to the reservoir 35 is controlled by the height of the slot |8I. As long as the level of the water within the reservoir 35 is below the top of the slot |8| air within the reservoir may escape as it is displaced by the water. However, once the water level reaches the top of the slot |8| it is no longer possible for the air to escape and consequently the upper end of the slot |8| determines the amount of water which can be poured into the reservoir 35. Preferably the length oi this slot ||l| is adjusted so that the amount of water which can be supplied to the reservoir 35 is not sufficient to run out of the needle valve when the iron is placed upon its heel |01. Consequently when the person using the iron sets the iron up on its end, in the conventional manner, the now of water to the steam generating chamber stops without the necessity of manipulating the steam button |40. The upper end of the ller tube |80 is provided with a. circumferential flange |82 to provide a valve seat for the combined filler plug and safety valve |18 to be described in greater detail hereinafter. Also the tube |80 is provided with a rolled thread |83 near the upper end for threadeclly engaging the filler plug |19.

The combined iiller plug and safety valve |18 comprises an outer housing |84 of insulating material, having a depending skirt |8411 adapted to extend over the tubular member` |80. The exterior surface of the housing |84 is preferably of some suitable configuration, such as being provided with suitable molded protrusions, to permit ready linger manipulation thereof. Disposed within the insulating housing |84 is a tubular metal cover member |85 having the lower end thereof provided with a rolled thread |86 cooperating with a rolled thread |83 of the filler tube |80. The metal cover member |85 is essentially a cup shaped member which is inserted in the insulating housing |84 and held in position by means of a rivet |81. To prevent rela tive rotation between the insulating housing |84 and the metal cover member |85 a plurality of punched out portions |88 of the metal cover member best shown in Fig. 17 of the drawings are adapted to extend into recesses |88 defined in the insulating housing |84. These recesses |83 are furthermore connected to passageways |80 1d defined in the insulating housing |84 which are steam escape passageways for the safety valve to be described hereinafter. The steam can escape through the openings |9| formed in the metal cover by virtue of punching out the extensions |88. and the rceesses |89 are sumciently large to permit steam to now around the extensions |88 into the passageways |90. It will furthermore be apparent that escaping steam due to the operation of the safety valve will be in a downward direction by virtue of the depending skirt |84rl and consequently cannot come into contact with the operator holding the handle 82.

A suitable stop is provided to limit the closing movement of the metal cover member |85 relative to the nller tube |80 which stop in the illustrated embodiment is provi-ded by the ends oi the rolled threads |83 and |88. In order to provide a combined safety valve and closure member for the 1111er tube |88 there is provided an inverted cup-shaped valve member |83 for receiving a resilient Washer or gasket |94. A plurality of punched-out portions of the valve member |83 are provided to hold the gasket |84 in position relative to the valve member |93. A suitable spring |88 is provided to bias the valve member |93 so that the gasket or sealing member engages the valve seat |82. It will be apparent that with the arrangement described a suitable ciosure member for the iiller tube is provided. A safety valve is also provided since the closure member is closed to the saine position each time by Virtue of the stop referred to above. In order to prevent the spring |96 from moving the valve member |33 out of the metal closure |85 when the filler plug |18 is removed from the filler tube |88, a plurality of lugs |88 are punched out from the valve member |83 which are adapted to engage a ledge |89 defined in the metal cover |85. These lugs |88 extend away from the axis of the valve member |93 by a small angle which permits ready assembly of the spring and valve member, but once the valve member has been pushed into position the lugs |98 prevent the valve member from moving beyond the position where the lugs |88 engage the ledge |99.

From the above discussion it is evident that th steam iron described is simple to manufacture and relatively easy to assemble. It will be apparent that the water reservoir together with the steam dome provides one subassembly while the sole plate and steam generating chamber cover provides another subassembly. The thermostatic control mechanism 80 is assembled to the sole plate i8 after which the steam generat ing chamber is assembled to the sole plate by means of the screw 55 and the needle valve body 49, the latter being manipulated by a suitable tool inserted through the opening at the upper end of the steam dome 41. Following this the spacer plate 82 is adapted to be fastened to the reservoir 35 by means of the four screws 95 referred to above. At the same time the cam sleeve ||0 together with the cam follower H2 and the needle valve control except for the control button |48 can be assembled. Following this the handle 8! is applied to the spacer plate 92 by rst causing engagement of the hooks |0|a with the openings |08 and the subsequent application of the screw |03 while the plate |04 is removed. Electrical connections with the power cord 14 are completed prior or concurrently with the last mentioned operation whereupon the cover plate |04 is applied to the iron. The control knobs or buttons |20 and |40 can now be 17 positioned so as to provide the correct calibration for each control.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the steam iron of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. By virtue of the passageway |34 a smal1 pressure not exceeding about 11/2 lbs. per square inch is provided within the reservoir 35 to insure the flow of water between the reservoir 35 and the steam generating chamber 20. Furthermore a pressure is available in the reservoir as soon as the sole plate I6 is hot enough to begin the ironing operation and it is unnecessary to wait for steam to form Within the water reservoir 35. The compact arrangement of the controls for both the iron temperature and the steam flow permit easy adjustment in any desired manner by the operator while at the same time providing the iron with a very pleasing appearance. The combined safety valve and filler plug insures absolute safety and by means of the ller plug arrangement described the iron can only be lled to the desired amount. Furthermore exhaust steam due to operation of the safety valve is prevented from contacting the operator.

There has been described above what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Figs. 19, and 2l, however, there is illustrated a modification of the invention which includes many features of the steam iron described above. Various constructional details thereof, however, are different.

Referring now to Figs. 19, 20 and 2l there is illustrated a steam iron generally designated by the reference numeral 200. "Ihe parts of the steam iron 200 which are identical with the parts of the preceeding figures are designated by the same reference numerals as in the preceding figures. The steam iron 200 comprises a sole plate 20| which includes a U-shaped rib 202 in which is embedded the heating element I1. A steam generating chamber generally designated at 203 is defined adjacent the bight of the U-shaped rib 202. The top of the steam generating chamber 203 is closed by means of a cover member 204 which functions in exactly the same way as the cover member 22 described above. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 19 a path is provided for the flow of steam from the steam generating chamber 203 to the ironing surface of the sole plate through passageways 205 which open into the steam generating chamber 203 at the top of a raised rib 206. The steam ports or passageways 205 in Fig. 19 of the drawings are to the rear of a circular recess 201 into which water is permitted to iow to be flashed into steam, rather than to the front of this portion of the device designated as 25a in Fig. l of the drawings as is the case in the preceding disclosure. The rear portion of the sole plate 20| includes a well 3i identical with the well described in Fig. l of the drawings for receiving a suitable control mechanism to be described hereinafter.

Suitably mounted on the sole plate 20| is a reservoir 2I0 comprising a bottom portion 2|0a and an upper inverted cup-shaped portion 2|0b which portions are welded or brazed together in a manner to provide a somewhat distorted toroid shaped water reservoir, the distorted toroid shape being formed by virtue of the raised central portion 2II of the bottom 2|0a to define a chamber 2 I 2 of substantial size for the control mechanism to be described hereinafter. The bottom 2|0a of the reservoir 2 I 0 is also provided with a raised in- 18 dentation 2I3 to conform with the rib 202 of the sole plate 20 I.

The cover 204 for the steam generating chamber 203 and the reservoir 2I0 are fastened to the sole plate 20| in the same manner as was described in the preceding figures. In addition to the stud 24 and the screw 55 there is provided a needle valve body 2I4 which is illustrated as engaging directly with a tapped opening 20 la defined in the sole plate 20 I. The needle valve body 2I4 includes a passageway 2|5 whereby water from within the reservoir 2 I0 may enter the valve body 2I4 to be controlled by the needle valve member ZIE which is of conventional construction. Suitable passageways 2 i1 are also provided in the needle valve body 2 4 to permit the water to iiow through the needle valve and into the circular recess 201. The needle valve member 2|6 extends upwardly a suiicient distance and has fastened to the upper end thereof a suitable steam control button ZIB for ready manual control of the Water flow and consequently the steam flow.

As in the preceding figures the reservoir 2I0 is connected to a steam dome 2 IB concentrically arranged with the valve member 2|6 which steam dome includes a portion of reduced cross section which defines an annular shoulder 220. The needle valve member 2 I 6 extends out of the upper end of the steam dome 2|!) which is closed by a suitable closure member 22|, with suitable packing means being provided around the member 2 I6 to prevent the escape of steam. The steam dome 2|9, instead of being a unitary structure as in the preceding figures, is formed of two parts so as to provide a larger opening to afford access to the needle valve body 2M during the assembly operation of the sole plate 20| and the reservoir 2I0.

In accordance with the present invention the steam iron 200 is also provided with an independent by-pass or passageway |34 connecting the upper end of the steam dome 2|9 with the steam generating chamber 203. As illustrated the passageway |34 is defined by a tubular member 224 which is supported within the valve body 2|4 in a manner so that the lower end thereof opens directly into the steam generating chamber 203 as is clearly shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings. The upper end of the tube 224 preferably includes a fitting 225 within which are disposed a ball valve 226 and a spring 221. The spring 221 is preferably designed to maintain the ball 226 in a position to seal the passageway |34 until the pressure within the steam dome 2|9 attains a value of the order of one and one-half pounds per square inch. It will be apparent that although the constructional details of the by-pass including the passageway |34 differ somewhat from the arrangement disclosed in Fig. l, the arrangement functions in exactly the same manner as the arrangement in Fig. 1.

As in the preceding disclosures a suitable baille plate 229 is provided within the reservoir 2I0, which baille plate actually comprises two portions 229a and 2291) by virtue of the somewhat toroidal configuration of the water reservoir 2I0. This baiiie plate is provided with suitable cut away portions 230 to permit the flow of water from one end of the reservoir to the other without splashing. The bafde 229 is furthermore disposed in an angular manner as in the preceding disclosures.

The steam iron 200 further includes a handle 230 and a spacer plate 23| which correspond closely to the handle 32 and the spacer plate 92 described heretofore. The handle 233 is provided at the front portion thereof with a cored chamber 233 for accommodating the steam dome 2|3. Concentrically disposed within the chamber 233 and surrounding the portion of reduced cross section of the steam dome 2 i9 is a rotatable cam 234 which is adapted to rest on the shoulder 22 The rotatable cam 234 is adapted to be manipulated by a suitable control button 235 somewhat concentrically disposed with reference to the steam control button 2|8. As will become apparent from the following description, the button 235 is eifectively a temperature control button and is substantially identical with the button described above.

For the purpose of relating the cam 234 with suitable control means disposed within the control chamber 2|2, the cam 234 is provided with a spiral groove 238, around the periphery thereof for receiving a suitable cam follower 233 which is connected to a link 24|). The upper end of the link 24D connected to the cam follower 239 is disposed within a vertical notch 24| opening into the cored chamber 233 so as to restrain the link 24D solely to vertical movement. The lower end of the link 240 extends through suitable openings in the spacer plate 23! and the reservoir 2||| into the chamber 2 I 2.

For the purpose of controlling the temperature of the sole plate 20| there is disposed within the chamber 2|2 a bimetallic element 25D mounted in cantilever fashion within the well 34. One end of the bimetallic element as illustrated is rigidly secured to the sole plate 20| as by means of a screw or the like 25|. The other relatively free end of the bimetallic end 250 is adapted to engage a movable contact arm 252 comprising a flexible contact arm portion 252e to the free end of which is fashioned a U-shaped member 252b supporting at one end of the U a movable switch contact 253. When the sole plate 23| is heated up the bimetallic element 250 fleXes in a direction to move the movable contact 253 in an upward direction as viewed in Fig. 19 of the drawings. The other end of the exible conductor 252e not connected to the U-shaped member 2521) is supported in a stack generally designated as 255 comprising insulating members and interposed conductors which stack corresponds to the stack 13 described above.

The movable contact 253 of the control switch is adapted to cooperate with a relatively stationary contact 256 mounted on a switch arm 251, one end oi which is supported in the stack 255. The other end of the switch arm 251 is connected by means of an extension 251e with the lower end of the link 24|). With this arrangement the position of the relatively stationary contact 25B may be varied in dependence upon the position of the control button 235 so as to require a selectively variable movement of the thermostat 25B to open the switch comprising the contacts 253 and 256 and consequently to provide selectively variable heating of the sole plate 28|. As in the preceding gures the conductors within the stack 255 are suitably connected to the ends of the heating element and also to the power supply cord by means of suitable conductors 26 and 25|, which correspond respectively with the conductors 'i3 and 1| of the preceding figures. It will be understood that adjustment of the temperature control button 235 causes movement of the link 240 which together with the construction of the U-shaped portion 2521i of the switch arm 252 requires a chamber 2|2 of substantially greater volume than the chamber 33 described heretofore. The larger chamber 2l2 means, of course, a smaller water capacity in the reservoir 2 lil for the same external configuration.

It should be understood that the steam iron 20|! will be provided with a suitable combined safety valve and illler plug arrangement similar to those described above.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the steam iron 23D will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and no further discussion thereof is included herewith.

While there have been shown and described particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modiiications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of water by gravity from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, said valve comprising a valve seat and a cooperating elongated member with the valve means for controlling the now of water being disposed at the end of the member cooperating with said seat. said member extending above said water reservoir to provide a manipulating member for said needle valve, means defining an elongated direct passageway interconnecting the upper portion of said water reservoir with said steam generating chamber, and means in said passageway for maintaining a pressure differential between said water reservoir and said steam generating chamber.

2. A steam iron comprising a closed water resservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of water by gravity from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber comprising an elongated member, said member extending above said water reservoir to provide a manipulating means for said needle valve, means dening an elongated direct passageway interconnecting the upper portion of said water reservoir with said steam generating chamber, and a valve member biased to the closed position disposed in said passageway for maintaining a pressure differential between said water reservoir and said steam generating chamber.

3. A steam iron comprising a closed water reservoir, a steam dome connected to and extending above said water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of water by gravity from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, said needle valve comprising a manually movable valve member extending through said water reservoir and said steam dome, means associated with the upper end of said member for manual adjustment of said needle valve, means defining an elongated direct passageway to provide intercommunication between said steam dome and said steam generating chamber, and a valve means in said passageway to prevent said intercommunication until a predetermined pressure is produced in said reservoir.

4. A steam iron comprising a. sole plate, a water reservoir, a steam generating chamber dened in said sole plate, a needle valve controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a handle for said iron comprising a hand grip portion extending in a direction generally parallel with the ironing surface of said sole plate, a first iinger manipulating means in said handle at the upper forward part of said hand grip portion for controlling the temperature of said iron, and a second finger manipulating means in said handle disposed immediately adjacent said iirst nger manipulating means for controlling said needle valve, one of said finger manipulating means comprising an annular knob member with the other of said finger manipulating means concentrically arranged within the opening of said annular knob member.

5. A steam iron comprising a water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a needle valve controlling the flow of Water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a handle for said iron, means including an annular knob disposed in a recess in the uppermost portion of said handle for selectively controlling the temperature of said iron, means including a second knob disposed within the opening in said annular knob for controlling said needle valve, and a single index mark formed on said handle adjacent said knobs for indicating the setting of each of said knobs.

6. A steam iron comprising a water reservoir, a steam generating chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of Water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a molded insulating handle for said iron having a cored opening at the front end, an annular knob disposed in a recess defined at the upper end of said cored opening for selectively controlling the temperature of said iron, means including a second knob disposed Within the opening in said annular knob for controlling said needle valve, and control means extending Within said cored opening connected to said annular knob, said control means being also connected to temperature responsive means included in said steam iron.

7. A pressing iron comprising a sole plate, a tubular member extending above said sole plate, the upper portion of said tubular member being of reduced diameter so as to dene a circumferential ledge, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in a well in said sole plate including movable means for adjusting the setting of said thermostatic control means, means for selectively controlling said thermostatic control means comprising an annular sleeve rotatably mounted about the upper portion of said tubular member and resting on said ledge, and means operatively interconnecting said annular member and said movable means.

8. A steam. iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above said sole plate, a steam dome connected to and extending above said water reservoir, the upper portion of said steam dome being of reduced diameter so as to define a circumferential ledge, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in a well in said sole plate including movable means for adjusting the setting of said thermostatic control means, means for selectively controlling said thermostatic control means comprising an annular cam member rotatably mounted about the upper portion of said steam dome and resting on said ledge, a cam follower associated with said cam member, and means interconnecting said cam follower and said movable means.

9. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above said sole plate in heat transfer relationship therewith, a tubular steam dome connected to and extending above said water reservoir with the axis of said steam dome disposed in a substantially vertical position when said iron is in its ironing position, the upper portion of said steam dome being of reduced diameter so as to define a circumferential ledge, a steam generating chamber defined in said sole plate, valve means controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in a chamber defined between said reservoir and said sole plate including movable means for adjusting the setting of said thermostatic control means, means for selectively controlling said thermostatic control means comprising an annular sleeve rotatably mounted about the upper portion of said steam dome and resting on said ledge, a cam surface formed on the outer circumference of said sleeve, a cam follower engageable with said cam surface and movable along said axis upon rotation of said sleeve, and means interconnecting said cam follower and said movable means.

l0. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above said sole plate in heat transfer relationship therewith, a handle having an opening defined therein fastened to said reservoir, a tubular steam dome connected to and extending above said water reservoir into said opening in said handle with the axis of said steam dome disposed in a substantially vertical position when said iron is in its ironing position, the upper portion of said steam dome being of reduced diameter so as to define a circumferential ledge, a steam generating chamber dened in said sole plate, valve means controlling the iiow of Water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in a chamber defined between said reservoir and said sole plate including movable means for adjusting the setting of said thermostatic control means, means for selectively controlling said thermostatic control means comprising an annular sleeve rotatably mounted about the upper portion of said steam dome in said opening' in said handle and resting on said ledge, a cam surface formed on the outer circumference of said sleeve, a cam follower engageable with said cam surface and movable along said axis upon rotation of said sleeve, means defined in the walls of said opening for preventing rotational movement of said cam follower, and means interconnecting said cam follower and said movable means.

ll. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above said sole plate in heat transfer relationship therewith, a tubular steam dome connected to and extending above said water reservoir with the axis of said steam dome disposed in a substantially vertical position when said iron is in its ironing position, the upper portion of said steam dome being of reduced diameter so as to denne a circumferential ledge, a steam generating chamber defined in said sole plate, valve means controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in a chamber defined between said reservoir and said sole plate including movable means for adjusting the setting of said thermostatic control means, means for selectively controlling said thermostatic control means comprising an annular sleeve rotatably mounted about the upper portion of said steam dome and resting on said ledge, a cam surface formed on the outer circumference of said sleeve, a cam follower engageable with said cam surface and movable along said axis upon rotation of said sleeve, and a tension spring interconnecting said cam follower and said movable means whereby an adjustable spring force is applied to said thermostatic control means.

12. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above said sole plate in heat transfer relationship therewith, a tubular steam dome connected to and extending above said water reservoir with the axis of said steam dome disposed in a substantially vertical position when said iron is in its ironing position, the upper portion of said steam dome being of reduced diameter so as to define a circumferential ledge, a steam generating chamber defined in said sole plate, valve means controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in a chamber deilned between said reservoir and said sole plate including movable means for adjusting the setting of said thermostatic control means, means for selectively controlling said thermostatic control means comprising an annular sleeve rotatably mounted about the upper portion of said steam dome and resting on said ledge, a cam surface formed on the outer circumference of said sleeve, a cam follower engageable with said cam surface and movable along said axis upon rotation of said sleeve, means interconnecting said cam follower and said movable means, an annular knob fastened to said sleeve for adjusting the heating of said sole plate, and a separate knob disposed in the opening in said annular knob for controlling the operating condition of said valve means.

13. A pressing iron comprising a sole plate, a control chamber of relatively small capacity disposed adjacent said sole plate, a thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in said chamber including a movable member having a rigid extension, movable means disposed outside of said chamber and capable of moving through a substantial distance, and energy storage means interconnecting said rigid extension and said movable means whereby a variable force may selectively be applied to said thermostatic control means to adjust the temperature of said sole plate while requiring little or no movement of said rigid member.

14. A pressing iron comprising a sole plate, a control chamber of minimum volume disposed adjacent said sole plate, a thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in said chamber including a movable member having a rigid extension, movable means disposed outside of said chamber and capable of moving through a substantial distance, and a tension spring interconnecting said rigid extension and said movable means whereby a variable force may selectively be applied to said thermostatic control means to adjust the temperature of said so-le plate.

15. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a Water reservoir associated with said sole plate, a control chamber of minimum volume disposed between said reservoir and said sole plate, a thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in said chamber including a movable member having a rigid extension, manually movable means disposed outside of said chamber and capable of moving through a substantial distance, and a tension spring interconnecting said rigid extension and said movable means whereby a variable force may selectively be applied to said thermostatic control means to adjust the temperature of said sole plate while requiring a minimum of movement of said rigid member thereby permitting space otherwise required for said chamber to be included in said water reservoir.

16. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a Water reservoir, a steam generating chamber deiined in said sole plate, valve means for controlling the ilow of Water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a molded insulating handle for said iron having a cored opening at the front end, means for securing said handle to said sole plate, means including a manual control knob pivotal about an axis perpendicular to said sole plate and disposed at the upper end of said cored opening for selectively controlling the temperature of said iron, means including a second manual control means disposed above and adjacent to said rst manual control knob for controlling sad valve means, temperature responsive means disposed between said water reservoir and said sole plate, and control means extending Within said cored opening for operatively interconnecting said temperature responsive control means and said manual control knob.

17. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir, a steam generating chamber defined in said sole plate, valve means for controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a molded insulating handle for said iron having a cored opening at the iront end, means for securing said handle to said sole plate, means including a manual control knob pivotal about an axis perpendicular to said sole plate and disposed at the upper end of said cored opening for selectively controlling the temperature of said iron, means including a second manual control means disposed above and adjacent to said iirst manual control knob for controlling said valve means, temperature responsive means disposed between said water reservoir and said sole plate, control means extending within said cored opening for operatively interconnecting said temperature responsive control means and said manual control knob, and a ller opening in said handle connected to said Water reservoir.

18. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a water reservoir, a steam generating chamber defined in said sole plate, valve means for controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a molded insulating handle for said iron having a cored opening at the front end extending in a generally vertical direction, said handle also including a hand grip portion disposed in a position generally parallel with the ironing surface of said sole plate, means for securing said handle to said sole plate, means including a manual control knob pivotal about an axis perpendicular to said sole plate for selectively controlling the temperature of said iron, means including a. second manual control means disposed adjacent the upper end of said cored opening and disposed above said iirst manual control knob and on a level with the hand grip portion of said handle for controlling said valve means, temperature responsive means disposed between said water reservoir and said sole plate, and control means for operatively interconnecting said temperature responsive control means and said manual control knob.

19. 'I'he steam iron of claim 18 in which a filter opening for said reservoir is provided in said handle.

20. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, a Water reservoir, a steam generating chamber dened in said sole plate, a molded insulating handle for said iron having a cored opening at the front end, means for securing said handle to said sole plate, means including a manual control knob pivotal about an axis perpendicular to said sole plate and disposed at the upper end of said cored opening for selectively controlling the temperature of said iron, a control chamber of relatively small capacity disposed between said reservoir and said sole plate, thermostatic control means for said iron disposed in said chamber, including a. movable member having an extension, and movable means extending within said cored opening for operatively interconnecting said extension and said manual control knob.

21. A steam iron coLLprising a sole plate, a water reservoir, a steam generating chamber dened in said sole plate, valve means for controlling the flow of water from said reservoir to said steam generating chamber, a tubular steam dome fixed to said reservoir, said steam dome extending up from said reservoir when the steam iron is in its normal ironing position, a handle on said iron secured to said sole plate, said handle having a bore located therein and said steam dome being received in said bore, means defining a passageway through said handle connected to 26 said reservoir and forming a filling opening for said reservoir, a heel rest upon which the iron may be tilted back from its normal ironing position, and manual control means extending through said steam dome and terminating in a finger actuated member for adjusting the rate of flow of Water through said valve means to said steam generating chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,178,512 Schreyer Oct. 31, 1939 2,190,412 McMuIIy Feb. 13, 1940 2,277,034 Bisley Mar. 24, 1942 2,277,439 Jepson Mar. 24, 1942 2,279,215 Theilgaard Apr. 7, 1942 2,288,517 Dubilier June 30, 1942 2,295,341 Finlayson Sept. 8, 1942 2,316,907 Wallace Apr. 20, 1943 2,322,593 Riddington et al. June 22, 1943 2,328,124 Bremer Aug. 31, 1943 2,342,653 Edwards Feb. 29, 1944 2,387,281 Morton Oct. 23, 1945 2,387,757 Hoecker Oct. 30, 1945 2,415,795 Koei Feb. 11, 1947 2,427,521 Butman Sept. 16, 1947 2,441,586 Norton May 18, 1948 2,618,875 Viecel Nov. 25, 1952 

